Physical-culture apparatus.



G. R. DE NISE.

PHYSICAL GULTUBB APPARATUS.

LPPLIUATION FILED :uns 8,1901.

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G. B.. DE NISE.

PHYSIGAL GULTUBB APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION HLBD JUNI; 8,1907,

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PHYSICAL CULTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3,1907.

902,946. Patented Nov. 3, 1908. E4 s SHEETS-Smm s.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GEORGE a, DE Nisn, OF DENVER, COLORADO. l

PHYSICAL-CULTURE APPARATUS.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE R. DE NISE, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Denver', in the county of Denver and State ofColorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Physical-Culture Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to physical culture apparatus of the typeintended to produce a stretching action upon the human body for thepurpose of strengthening the nervous system and incidentally increasingthe height of the user by restoring the natural elasticity to theabnormally hardened cartilaginous tissue and exercising the many muscleswhich by Want of continual action, are weak or undeveloped.

The objects of the invention are to roduce an apparatus of the classname in which the maximum of simplicity and economy of constructionshall be combined with durability, practioahility in use and efficiencyof action and which, while adapted for the use of all personsirrespective of their physical proportions, may be reduced in compass soas to be suitable for shipping or storing purposes.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in the various views of which like parts are similarlydesignated and in which Figure 1- represents a plan view of theapparatus, Fig. 2- a side elevation thereof, Fig. 34 an enlar ed,fragmentary plan view ofthe head-end o? the device, Fig. 4- a similarview of the foot end, Fig. 5- a view illustrating the head and upperarts of the body of a person equipped wit i the combined head and chestgear employed in the practice of my invention, Fig. 6- a erspectiveinterior view of the cap or head gear employed in my device, Fig. 7 atop viewof the said cap, Fig. 8E an enlarged transverse section takenalong line 8-8, Fig. 1, Fig.

9- an enlarged cross section taken along line 9 9, Fig. 1, Fi s'. 10 and11,- fra mentary plan views of t e foot end of the evice showingmodified manners of arrangin the tackle employed to communicate t eloros exerted upon the operating arts of the machine, to the human bodig. 12- a fragmentary side view of the ody part of the a paratusillustrating the arrangement of t e toperating mechanism, Fig. 153- aview of a human head equipped With the cap or head Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application led J une 8, 1907.

Patented Nov. 3, 1968.

Serial No. 378,011.

gear illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and Fig. 14 a view of a human footillustrating the manner of applying the foot straps by which the lowerextremities ofthe body are attached to the stretching appliances.

Referring to the drawings, my apparatus consists of a table or bench 2comprising the, in practice, horizontal deck 3 provided with preferablyintegral, depending sides or flanges 4 and supported upon legs 5, thelower extremities of which are bent to provide feet 5a.

The legs 5 at each end of the table are connected at their upper ends byintegral cross bars 6 and are pivotally secured intermediate the flanges4 by means of bolts or rivets 7. When the device is not in use theseconnected le s maybe folded inside the sides of the ta le as shown inFig. 2 of the drawings, and when the apparatus 1s in operativecondition, they are turned at right angles to the deck 3 and secured inthis position by means of detachable pins 8 inserted through re isteringapertures in the upper parts of the egs and the adjacent sides of thetable.

Rotatably secured in straps 9 upon the flanged upper end of the table 2,are the stops 10 designed to relieve by en agement with the axillae ofthe patient, t e head, neck and contiguous arts of the greater part ofthe tension pro uced by the stretchin action upon the feet and whichcomprise inrglividually the spindle 10a, the therewith parallel en agingportion 1()c and the interposed shan 10d.

To prevent injury to the parts of the body with which the stops 10 are1n contact during the operation of the apparatus, the engaging parts 10amay be provided with sleeves 11 composed of rubber, felt or otherelastic substance as shown in Fi 3 of the drawings.

Extending outward y from the head end of the table is a yoke 12 theangularly arranged, normally vertical extremities 12a of which aredisposed upon the outer surface of the flanges 4 and are ivotallysecured thereto by means of the be ore named bolts or rivets 7 whichprovide the fulcrurn for the adjacent le s 5.

gThe yoke is held in its extended position by means of the beforementioned pins 8 which project through correspondin ly arrangedapertures in the arms 12a an when not in use may be folded upon theupper or lower surface of the table.

A continuous belt 13 made of canvas, rubber or other fiexible materialis stretched between the parallel side-bars 12' of the yoke 12 toail'ord a comfortable support for the head of the patient, who duringthe operation of the apparatus, reclinos upon the deck 3.

An opening 14 in the head-support 13, is intended to admit the nose andmouth of the patient, should he desire to undergo the stretchingoperation while lying face downward.

The cross-bar 12 d of the yoke is provided with a centrally appliedbuckle 15 to which the hereinafter to vbe described headgear may beattached, and near its ends, withthooks 16 which afford means to securestraps placed around the wrists of the patient, when, to promote thedevelopment of the thoracic muscles and organs, the body is subjected tothe stretching action with the arms extended above the head.

As the means by which the arms are attached to the hooks 16, form nopart of the device, their illustration has been omitted from thedrawings.

Hingedly secured upon the opposite or foot-end of the table 2 is anextension. or foot board 17', formed with integral, depending flanges 18and, in practice, supported at its outermost end upon legs 19 connectedby an integral cross bar 20 and pivotally secured intermediate theflanges, by means of a bolt or threaded rod 21.

Pins 22, ro'ecting through registering apertures in t 1e ie s andadjacent flanges, secure the former w ien turned at right angles to theplate 17, While a bolt, sliding catch or other suitable fastening device17a is applied below the juxtaposed ends of the foot-board and the bodyportion of the apparatus to firmly secure them in the extended or openedposition.

The extension 17 of the device serves in practice, as a support for thefeet and contiguous parts of the legs of the atient, when reclining uponthe deck 3, an as a means for securing the tackle or combination ofropes and two or more blocks compeunded to exert increased force uponthe body under treatment.

In my preferred form, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the tackleconsists of a standing, double block 23 which may be secured u on theboard, or, as is shown in the illustratlon, may be connected to asuitable indicatory appliance 24 through instrumentality of Which theforce exerted upon the body may be determined.

The indicator, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, consists of a dial 25erected in perpendicular position upon the extreme end of the board 17and upon which is fulerumed a hand or lever 26, the long arm of which isarranged to denote the amount of exerted force upon a graduated scale27, while its shorter arm connects with the eye 23a of the block 23 bymeans of a rope 28 rovc around a fixed sheave 29 which elianges thedirection of its motion.

The lower extremity of the long arm of the lever 26 is connected withaiixed point on the dial by a coiled spring 30, the elasticity of whichin cooperation with the mechanical advantage gained through theinequality in the length of the arms, measure the amount of forceexerted. through instrumentality of the tackle and the therewithconnected operating mechanism.

The scale upon the dial is preferably arranged in accordance with theage and physical condition of the various persons by Whom the apparatusmay be used, as illustrated in Fig. 8, in which the graduations arearrangedat a distance equaling twenty five pounds of pressure.

To prevent possible injury to the patient by excessive stretching, thegraduations on the dial denote in addition to the amount of forceexerted by manipulation of the operating mechanism the maximum amount ofpull that persons of various ages and of either sex can withstandwithout harming the parts of the body most affected bythe stretchingprocess. For example, a force of twent" five ounds exerted upon the bodis indicated y the fourth graduation ann is the maximum pressure forchildren of from five to ten years of age g one hundred and twenty fivepounds for children of from ten to fourteen years; one hundred and fiftypounds for youths, female adults and aged persons; and two hundredpounds the maximum for male adults.

The double block 23 being thus anchored, a rope 31 normally secured atone of its extremities to a cleat 32 upon a side of the main body 2 ofthe device, is passed around one of its sheaves, thence around thesheave of a running block 33, from where it extends around the secondsheave of the standing block, to a Winch 34 to which it is secured.

The latter comprises a shaft 35 rotatably mounted in the sides 4,transversely of the table 2, and provided with an enlarged extension ordrum 36 to which the fall of the rope 31 is fastened and which carriesupon its outer extremity a crank 37, by manipulation of which themechanism is actuated.

A gravity do 38 pivotally secured to the side of the tab e 3, engagesthe teeth of a ratchet Wheel 39 fixed upon the drum 36 in juxtapositionto the said side for the ur ose of preventing retrograde motion of t eshaft whlle the pressure 1s being applied.

The standing part of the rope, between the block 23 and the cleat 32 is,as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, rove through two pulleys 4() and 41,fixed upon the adjacent portion of the side 4 and Whose function is toprevent,

by frictional engagement, slacking of the rope when for ad]ustmentpurposes, the latter is detached from the cleat.

The reference numeral 42 designates the gear by which the feet of theperson reclining Y upon the device, may be connected with the tackle andwhich comprises two members 43 each composed of an ankle stra 44 which`in practice, is fastened around t e tarsus of the atient by the use of abuckle 45, and a iiexi le loop 46, the ends of which are secured to thestrap 44 and which, when the gear is in operative position, passesaround the sole of the users foot.

The loops of the two members 43 of the gear are connected by a strap 47which passes loosely through the eye 33 of the running block 33 of thetackle.

The tackle illustrated in Fig. 10, maybe substituted for thathereinbefore described, for the purpose of exerting an increased amountof force upon the body of the patient without increase of power appliedto the winch. In this construction, three standing blocks 48, 49 and 50are equidistantly secured upon the outer extremity of the foot plate 17in transverse alinement and the rope 53, the end of the standing part ofwhich is secured to the cleat 32, passes around the first sheavc 48,through a running block 51 from where it passes around the center pulley49, to a second running block 52 to be rove through the last sheave 50and secured to the winch. 'l`he connecting strap 47 of the foot gear, isin this case omitted and the members 43 secured rcspectively to the tworunning blocks 51 and 52.

A second modified manner of compounding the sheaves is illustrated inFig. 11 of the drawings and comprises two standing blocks 54 and 55secured in transverse alinement at equal distances from the center ofthe foot support 17 and the rope 56 which passes from its fasteningpoint around the first shea-ve 54, thence around a running block 57 andthrough the block 55 to the winch. The

foot gear 42 may in this case, be connected l with the tackle in amanner identical to that shown in Fig. 4, or the strap 47 may be rovethrough a block 58 which 1s secured to the running block 57, for thepurpose of reducing friction.

The head gear 59, illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 1.3, is employed tosecure the patients head in a fixed relation to the upper or headportion of the table and is, by reason of the frailty of the parts towhich it is applied., a factor of my device the construction of whichinvolves the utmost care and precision. lt consists of a ca 60 composedof leather, canvas, cloth or ot er flexible material and preferablyinternally cushioned so as to revent injury to the skin of the wearer. Te rearmost portion 6()a of the cap is extended. so as to cover theposterior base of thi` skull and the foremost part is split as at 60C topermit adjustment in accordance with diiiercnt sizes of heads. A strap6l having a buckle 62, surrounds the cap near its lower edge and may beheld in place in transverse loops 63. This strap is so arranged thatwhen the cap is .placed upon the patient's head, its loro part passesaround the forehead while its rearmost portion presses upon the occiputor iosterior part oll the calvarium. Vlhe cap 6() 1s lfurthcrmm'cprovided with two straps 64 and the ends ol' each of which are securedupon opposite points thereof and which, crossingeach other, areconnected by a ring (nl.

The straps are so placed upon the cap that when the latter is placedupon the head of the reclining patient, the point at which they cross isin alinement with the spinal column, thereby assuring the pressureexerted upon the body to be applied directly to thc cartilage.intermediate the vertebrae.

A strap 67 secured. to the ring 66 is designed to fasten thc head gearto the buckle 15 upon the yoke l2. To relieve the head of part of thepressure exerted thereon during the operation ol the apparatus, use maybe made of thc appliance illustrated in lfig. 5. consistingI of a beltGS which in practice, is secured around the chest ol' the patient belowthi` armpits and which is adjustably connected with the band til of thehead gear by f interposed straps (ill.

To ascertain the number of inches or fractions thereol, to which thcbody is extended during the operation, a graduated scale 71| is appliedto the foot support 17, upon which the position of the iaticntfs feetmay be indicated. bel'orc and after the stretching process.

llaving thus described the mechanical construction of the device, itsoperation will be readily understood. The apparatus may be operated bythe patient himself or by an assistant. Alter the head dress is adjustedupon thc head of the person under treatment, in thc manner hereinbeloredescribed., he places himself upon the deck 3 in a sitting posture andhaving loosened the end of the rope 31 from the cleat C352, secures thcelcments 43 of the foot gear to his feet in the manner illustrated in Fig. 14. He now assumes a reclining position, the head in engagementwith. the resilient support 13, after which the strap 67 is fastened tothe buckle 1 5 of the yoke 1 2. Having pulled the standing part of therope until its running and fall portions are taut, he re-iastens the endthereof to the cleat 32 and having adjusted the stops 10 in engagementwith thc armpits, he manipulates the crank 37 of the winch until thedesired degree of tension is attained as indicated upon the dial Torelease the tension, the end of the rope is unfastened from the cleat32, or the gravity dog lifted out ol. engagement with the ratchet wheel.ln case the patient undergoes the treatment to cure l certain thoracicorganic or muscular derangements, he eleyatcs the arms above the headal'ter which the wrists are connected by means of the aiorenamcd straps,to the hooks lli on the yoke 12, In this case the use ot' the stops Il),as well as the head gear may be disi carded.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is:

1. A physical culture apparatus comprising a body support adapted tosustain a body in a reclining position, means to lix the upper part ot'the body thereon, a gear adapted to engage the lower limbs of the bodyand block and tackle appliance arranged upon the said support to imparta stretching action to the said gear by manipulation of either of theends of the rope included therein.

2. physical culture apparatus comprising a body support, means forholding the upper part ol the body in position thereon, a gear adaptedto engage the lower limbs of the body, a block and tackle applianceconnected with the said gear, means to adjustably secure the normallystanding extremity i of the rope included therein, and mechanical Ineansadapted to apply power to its opposite end or fall.

3. A physical culture apparatus comprising a body support, means to tixthe upper part of the body thereon, a gear adapted to engage the lowerlimbs of the body, and a tackle and block appliance including a standingblock upon the support, a running block connected with the gear and arope in operative relation to the blocks one ol' its ends beingadjustably held at a stationary point, and mechanical actuating meansconnected with its opposite end or fall.

4. A physical culture apparatus comprising a support adapted to sustaina body in a l reclining position, means upon the said support to lix theupper part of the body therel on, a block and tackle appliance upon thesaid 1 support and two members respectively adapted to be attached tothe lower limbs ol the body and self-:nljustably connectedwith therunning part ot' the said appliance.

5. A physical culture apparatus comprising a support adapted to sustaina body in a reclining position, means thereon for holding the upper partof the body, a gear including two members adapted to be attached to thel lower limbs ol the body, a block and tackle appliance upon the supportincluding standing and ruiming blocks and a flexible connecl tionbetween the said members self-adjustably connected with the latter andmechanical means adapted to aetuate the said appliance.

6. A physical culture apparatus comprising a support adapted to sustaina body in a l reclining position, means to iix the upper part ol thebody thereon, a block and tackle appliance upon the said support andincludmg ruiming and standing blocks, mechanical means to actuate thesaid appliance, a gear connected with the appliance and adapted toengage the lower limbs of the body and indicatory means connected withthe standing block and arranged to indicate the amount of force exertedupon the said gear through instrun'ientality of the said appliance.

T. A physical culture appz-trains comprising in combinatiim with asupport adapted to sustain a body in a reclining position, a graduatedmember Vfixed thereon, a lever fulcrumed upon the said member, a blockand tackle appliance connected with an arm of the said lever, aresistance device attached to its opposite arm, a lgear adapted toengage the lower extremities olE the body and connected with the saidappliance and means upon the support to tix the upper part of the bodythereon.

8. A physical culture apparatus comprising a support adapted to sustaina body in a reclining position and including two hingedly connectedmembers, means upon one ot the said members to tix the upper part ot'the said body tln'lreon, and stretching means secured upon the oppositemember, adapted to be attz'ichcd to the lower limbs ofthe body.

9. A physical culture apparatus comprising a body support, stretchingmeans at one ol' its ends adapted to connect with the lower limbs ol' apatient reclining thereon, and a head gear attached to the opposite endof the said support and including a cap, a strap surrounding its lowerportion and arranged to simultaneously engage the brow and the occiputof the patients head and two intersecting straps upon the cap, theirpoint of intersection being substantially in alinement with the spinalcolumn when the cap is adjusted upon the patients head in the aforesaidmanner.

1U. A physical culture apparatus comprising a body support, stretchingmeans at one of its ends adapted to connect with the lower limbs of thepatient reclining thereon, a head gear attached to the opposite end ofthe support and including a cap and a strap surrounding its lowerportion and arranged to simultaneously engage the brow and occiput olthe paticnts head, and a belt arranged to embrace the palients thorax,adjustably connected with the said strap.

In testimony whereof l have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE R. DE NISE.

litnesscs G. J. ROLLMELLET, K. M. STUMP.

